The Master of the Female Half-lengths

Acquired by Luis Carabe Palacios from the Marques de Aracena, Palacio de Sanchez- Dalp, Seville;
Thence by family descent.

 

The painting is a touch less yellow than it appears in the catalogue illustration. The support appears to consist of a three vertical panels joined and cradled to the reverse. There are two old vertical splits in the panel approx 5 cm in from the left hand edge one running approx 8 cm down from the upper margin and the other approx 10 cm up from the lower margin, both visible in the catalogue illustration. The paint surface appears to be secure and in good condition under an old dirty yellowed varnish. Some old discolored retouching works are evident to the naked eye and these are confirmed under UV light which also reveals some more substantial old retouching work in the darks of the background, in the far right join and in some old cracks to the left of this join. The details of both figures and the foreground are well preserved. Offered in a stained wood and gilt frame with some old inactive worm holes and minor losses.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The intimate design of this Virgin and Child exists in only one further work by the master, in reverse, in a panel sold London, Christie's, 11 December 1987, lot 60. The design derives from one by Barend van Orley, a common source of inspiration for this master.¹  In Van Orley's prototypes, which are both set before a landscape, the Child sits slightly more upright with His raised hand turned inwards rather than outwards, while the Virgin's supporting hand extends further around the Child's body. Unique in his oeuvre, the master has here wrapped the Virgin's head in a scarf which, in concept at least if not in its arrangement, also follows the Van Orley original. Equally uncommon is the interior setting; usually reserved for his single female figures reading or writing, the master has here exceptionally placed the Virgin and Child in a study.²

An exact, later, copy of the present work was sold, Lucerne, Fischer, 12 June 2002, lot 319.

1. In reverse; see the work formerly with Kleinberger, New York, 1929, and in the Murray sale, Berlin, Cassirer and Helbing, 6-7 November 1929, lot 318 (both Witt Library Mounts).
2. Only one further such instance seems to exist; sold Monaco, Christie's, 4 December 1993, lot 10.